Welcome

Host Family – Rotary Youth Exchange Program

Being a Host Family is the next best thing to going on exchange yourself! Host families are the backbone of the Youth Exchange Program - without them, there is no program! By hosting a Youth Exchange student in your home, you'll make a young person's dream come true, and you and your family will share an unforgettable and fulfilling experience. Any caring and responsible family with an interest in hosting a young person from another land can be a tremendous host family! The best host families are really just normal families and they don't fall into any one, easy-to-define category. Other considerations:

• Families do not need to be affiliated with Rotary to host Rotary Exchange Students.

• Anyone living in the house 18 or older must have a valid police check.

• Families with small children make great host families because young children get the experience of having a big brother or sister and the exchange students often enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of practicing their language skills with a younger child.

• "Empty Nesters" or retired couples are good too because they can have more time to spend with their student than younger parents do and they often enjoy having a young person around the house.

• Families with high school age children are good because host brothers and sisters can quickly get the student involved in school and community activities.

• Rotary differs from many international exchange programs in that our students generally live with 3-4 families during their exchange year. This gives the student a more well-rounded experience in a culture, having experienced family life from at least three different perspectives. It is also less of a commitment for host families; the typical hosting period is about 10-12 weeks.

• Host families aren't compensated financially. The program is run entirely by dedicated volunteers, which helps keep costs low.

As a host family, you will:

• Provide room and board

• Supervise the student just as you would your own children

• Involve the student in family activities and chores

• Enrich the exchange experience by including the student in family, community, and cultural activities

More Information & How to Apply

• If you would like to be considered as a host family, please contact your local Rotary Club or a Rotary District 5550 Youth Exchange committee member (see contact list - District YE committee).

• Read a ‘Guide for Host Families’ which details student and host family responsibilities, Rotary's role, and frequently asked questions. See link in the left menu bar.